Sponsored by the NSW Environment Protection Authority

Winner Division C, Overall Winner

Randwick City Council: Small change, big difference – a community engagement campaign for successful FOGO implementation
The introduction of a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection service to Randwick represented a substantial change to residents’ usual waste management practice and a major challenge, particularly in multi-unit dwellings.

To overcome this, council developed and ran a comprehensive community engagement and education campaign using multiple channels, with a mix of behavioural change strategies, traditional marketing, and digital marketing tools. Targeted and translated materials were effective to help deliver the message to Randwick’s culturally diverse population. A combination of illustrations, photographs and an ambassador made the campaign stronger and more appealing to a wider audience, with the initiative achieving a 28% reduction in red-bin content and 75% increase in organics recycling with only 1.5% contamination.

Read more in the case study

Highly Commended Division A

Forbes Shire Council: FOGO deep dive education project
A three-month-long education and awareness campaign focusing on diversion of food and garden organic (FOGO) materials from the red lid garbage bin to green lid FOGO bin was undertaken.

Forbes Council worked with the Environment Protection Authority to deliver an education and awareness campaign to the community as part of a pilot program. Post-project audits revealed a 4% increase in food recovery, a 26% reduction in loose food waste in the general waste bin and a decrease in overall contamination from 3.2% to 1.4%. 

Highly Commended Division B

Strathfield Municipal Council: Don't be a tosser
The Homebush West area was identified by Strathfield Council as a litter and illegal dumping hotspot, particularly the area around Sydney Markets. Following an education and enforcement blitz, including the installation of “Don’t be a Tosser” signs, there has been a substantial reduction in illegal dumping and litter in the area.

In the industrial area, litter items have reduced by 92% and litter volume by 99% and in the residential area litter items have reduced by 69% and litter volume by 97%. The program has also led to improved communication between council and businesses in the area.

Highly Commended Division C

Blacktown City Council: Buses, trains and automobiles
This project, focusing on rehabilitating the Blacktown transport interchange, achieved a 79% reduction in litter volume through a series of approaches that support long-term litter management.

The project included engagement events that reached more than 560 commuters, and a digital campaign reaching 369,993 people. As part of the project, Blacktown Council collaborated with 15 organisations, including Transport for NSW, Sydney Trains, Environment Protection Authority and SUEZ to establish cross-functional partnerships to support maintenance of the area.

Council also installed 34 bins and 11 Enviropole butt bins and issued more than 20 littering fines.

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